Makati City, 21 January 2025 – The latest PwC 2025 Global CEO Survey reveals a striking trend: a remarkable 75 percent of Philippine CEOs trust artificial intelligence (AI) integration into their companies' core processes. This confidence signals a transformative shift as Philippine business leaders position technological innovation at the forefront of their growth strategies.
The survey, launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, polled over 4,700 CEOs worldwide. It reveals Filipino CEOs’ innovative approach to AI technology adoption, while highlighting their challenges with climate initiative implementation.
CEOs plan extensive AI integration
Many Philippine business leaders aim to systematically integrate AI into their companies within three years, showing strong commitment to technological transformation across operations, decision-making and customer experience. About 88 percent expect AI to be systematically integrated into their business processes and workflows over the next three years, and the same anticipate it being used in their technology platforms. Other areas of AI integration include workforce and skills development (75 percent), new product and/or service development (69 percent), and core business strategy (60 percent).
The findings of the survey reflect a progressive mindset among Philippine CEOs, who see AI not only as a tool for operational efficiency but also as a catalyst for innovation, growth and competitive advantage.
“AI offers so many possibilities for businesses, from automating routine tasks to uncovering and analyzing deeper insights into consumer behavior,” shares Mary Jade Roxas-Divinagracia, PwC Philippines Deals and Corporate Finance Managing Partner.
“We are already seeing this happen at PwC Philippines, where we integrate GenAI into our operations through tools such as ChatPwC, a secure virtual assistant tailored to our unique needs. Ultimately, the impact of AI depends on how it is used: Businesses that thoughtfully embed AI into their strategies will not only enhance operations but also uncover opportunities for transformative growth. We are supporting our clients and stakeholders in unlocking the opportunities and driving organizational success through the use of responsible AI.”
Mary Jade Roxas-Divinagracia, PwC Philippines Deals and Corporate Finance Managing PartnerWorkforce development and digital innovation critical to Filipino businesses
Unlike global CEOs who cite macroeconomic volatility and inflation as their primary concerns, Philippine CEOs face different challenges. About 28 percent say that their companies are exposed to the shortage of skilled workers (28 percent) and technological disruption (28 percent). These immediate challenges are particularly critical because they directly impact business sustainability. Moreover, nearly 70 percent of Philippine-based CEOs say that their businesses will not remain economically viable beyond the next ten years if they stay on their current path.
These challenges emphasize the need for people and organizational reinvention, including more targeted investments in digital transformation and workforce development. Local CEOs have begun making progress in addressing these issues. Over the past five years, 75 percent have developed innovative products or services, including the digitization of analog products, while 65 percent have forged partnerships and collaborations with other organizations, such as universities and managed services providers.
“The rapid advancement of AI and digital technologies is fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate and compete in today's market. While reinvention is essential for navigating these changes, it requires careful planning and measured implementation with a focus on skills development and workforce readiness to meet future demands. By strategically adopting new technologies, leaders can create meaningful opportunities for their organizations and work to ensure long-term viability. While there is still work to be done, the 28th Annual PwC Global CEO Survey shows that Filipino CEOs are making significant progress in reimagining the future of their businesses.”
Roderick Danao, PwC Philippines Chairman and Senior PartnerClimate action gap
The survey also reveals that more than half of Philippine CEOs (53 percent) have yet to make significant climate-friendly investments, highlighting a critical area for future development. Those who have invested in sustainability initiatives are seeing positive results. Around two-thirds of global CEOs (60 percent) report that climate-friendly investments have either reduced costs or had no significant impact.
"Climate change poses an urgent challenge while also offering a transformative opportunity," emphasizes Catherine Lipana-Gomez, PwC Philippines Deals and Corporate Finance and ESG Partner.
“Companies that take decisive action on climate challenges now will not only future-proof their operations but also gain competitive advantages in an increasingly sustainability-focused market. While we're encouraged by the growing number of Philippine businesses embracing sustainability initiatives, there's untapped potential for companies to unlock value from the green economy revolution.”
Catherine Lipana-Gomez, PwC Philippines Deals and Corporate Finance and ESG PartnerThe global report can be accessed on www.pwc.com/ceosurvey. The Philippine findings can be downloaded at www.pwc.com/ph/28th-global-ceo-survey.
Contact us
